C1428 Say Thank You

A radiant Solar Spirit, flickering with tiny flames, was gradually absorbed into Qin Yun's body. Unlike Yu Yuan and Ann Ziqing, his Solar Spirit settled not in the middle elixir field but in the lower elixir field, known as the Golden Sanctum. It was nurtured and purified by spiritual energy, for its power originated there, and thus it was placed there.

"I told you there wouldn't be any issues, didn't I?" Tong Laoqian unleashed the Jade Tower, seizing the opportunity to absorb some of the Yin cold aura. Observing Qin Yun, who had finally eased up, he expressed his confusion, "It's quite peculiar. The expected heat and residual matter in your Solar Spirit are completely absent. It's as if some other force intervened at the moment your Solar Spirit took shape, cleansing it for you."

Taruer, the Ghost King, and Tan Yuan from the Forgeroses also nodded in agreement, sharing a similar sentiment.

Qin Yun, adorned as a venerable scholar, appeared somewhat younger with the formation of his Solar Spirit. Stroking his chin, he too found it odd. He had distinctly sensed an external force silently infusing him with tremendous benefits. This mysterious force swiftly solidified his mental state, and its pure Yin cold essence eradicated the numerous risks associated with the initial formation of his Solar Spirit. It allowed him to integrate the Solar Spirit into the Golden Sanctum acupoint without a transitional phase or further refinement. Yet, he could not discern the source of this external infusion.

That is until Zhou Cangmin, clad in white, arrived with his Lunar Spirit and greeted him with a smile, "Qin Yun."

"State Preceptor!" Qin Yun was visibly startled.

Their paths had crossed in the Crimson Sun Empire. As the leader of the Midnightshields, Qin Yun had once attempted to suppress Zhou Cangmin's rise. Alas, he failed to keep him in check. Zhou Cangmin's meteoric ascent to the position of state preceptor was swift, and he quickly became the most influential and revered figure in the Crimson Sun Empire, leaving Qin Yun no choice but to yield.

When everyone assumed Zhou Cangmin would surely join the Sunlit Order, his true identity was unexpectedly revealed. He was, in fact, the Hellbreed meticulously groomed by the Ruby Hand.

Qin Yun still instinctively addressed Zhou Cangmin as "Lord State Preceptor," a title that carried with it a sense of reverence in his heart.

The presence of Zhou Cangmin caused Taruer, Tan Yuan, and Tong Laoqian to tense up. As the Hellbreed of the Ruby Hand, Zhou Cangmin represented a faction from the coalition of the five supreme forces. Despite past amicability, the current divergence in their stances meant that any encounter was fraught with potential issues.

"I'm here to extend someone's congratulations to you," Zhou Cangmin said, gesturing for everyone to relax. "He's preoccupied with numerous matters and feared that his sudden appearance might disturb your peace of mind, impeding your cultivation of the Solar Spirit, so he chose not to come."

"Who?" Qin Yun asked, his face a picture of confusion.

"The person you've been eagerly anticipating," Zhou Cangmin replied with a smile.

Qin Yun's heart raced with excitement as he stepped forward, "Is it true?"

Both Taruer and Tan Yuan were visibly shaken by the news.

"Where's the young fellow?" Tong Laoqian bellowed.

"He left before Old Qin's success. Currently, he's likely in the Sundering Isles."

...

Sword Island.

The sheer cliffs rose like a series of swords thrusting into the heavens, a sight of awe-inspiring grandeur.

From a deep crevice in a gray-white rock, a figure emerged, his attire blending with the stone. His eyes, ancient and weary, seemed to hold a weariness for the world. A long sword, brimming with antiquity, was embedded in the rock from which he had stepped.

Yu Yuan, having sensed the newcomer, glided over from the opposite end of Sword Island. His presence was so subtle and ghost-like that he didn't disturb anyone else on the island.

Upon reaching the man, Yu Yuan didn't hesitate to offer a respectful fist-and-palm salute. "Mr. Van, I owe you my gratitude for your protection during our past encounter."

The Sword Immortal, ranked seventh in the Sword Sect, responded coolly, "Mo Yan is truly unfortunate, running into you wherever he goes."

Yu Yuan immediately understood the events that had transpired beneath Wintermaw and that Zhou Cangmin's counsel must have been witnessed by Van Heqing.

Not long ago, the Sword Cave was showered with numerous sword lights. I've heard that you played a part in that."

Van Heqing's eyebrows gave a slight twitch, as if he was carefully choosing his words. "However, the Sword Sect stands on the opposite side. Even if you've done a favor for the Sword Sect, I can't really do much for you. The most I can do is not to trouble you."

"I actually came here specifically to thank you," Yu Yuan explained with a smile. "There's no other motive."

Van Heqing raised an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance. "No other motives?"

Yu Yuan's smile turned somewhat sheepish. "I did want to inquire about the location of that sword. But, given your stance, I'll refrain from asking. I'll consult with President Lyi or the Untamed later on. They should be able to shed some light on it."

The Sundering Isles and the Frozen Hellscape are quite close, and Van Heqing is not only a cultivator in the Unbound Stage but also a Grand Sword Immortal of the Sword Sect. His reverence for the "Titanblade" is well-known; he wouldn't have wielded it otherwise.

Thus, he's likely the person best positioned to detect any movements of the sword in the vicinity.

With the return of the "Titanblade," the River of Swords cascaded into the Sword Cave, an event Van Heqing surely couldn't have missed.

Following the dispersion of the sword light, he would most likely be aware if the Divine Sword had left or remained within the Everlands.

"It's no longer there. As for its exact location, I'm not certain," Van Heqing disclosed.

Yu Yuan flashed a knowing smile. "Understood."

After a moment of contemplation, Van Heqing suddenly looked up towards the heavens and asked, "The sword spirit—what has it revealed to you? What have you witnessed? Could you share that with me?"

"If Mr. Van wishes to hear it, I'm certainly willing to share. But are you sure you want to know?" Yu Yuan asked, his brow furrowed.

He had his suspicions about Nie Qingtian's death. The visions he had seen, combined with the current state of affairs and the information he had since gathered, had led him to a conclusion.

Yet, this conclusion might not be something Van Heqing could easily accept.

"Never mind."

Van Heqing abruptly changed his mind, shaking his head and dropping the inquiry. Instead, he shifted the conversation, asking about recent events in the Glimmerdrift Nebula.

Since the Skyreach Consortium and Boulderdawn stood together, Yu Yuan, despite being on Sword Island, couldn't immediately learn about external developments through the Consortium.

As the person directly involved, Yu Yuan was well aware of everything, which is why he inquired.

Yu Yuan also knew what was being asked of him, so he explained the existence of the River of Swords, Nie Qingtian's last wishes, and the camaraderie with the Sword Sect.

He went on to discuss Du Yuan's severe injuries, Ji Ningshuang's latest breakthrough, and Yue Mu's safe return.

"I didn't expect that..."

Van Heqing inhaled sharply, seemingly cautious of a Primordial Spirit cultivator overhearing. He left his sentence unfinished and, with a cold voice, directed his gaze towards Celestial Isle, commanding, "Close your eyes!"

Inside Celestial Isle, a crystal ball capable of surveying the entire island and a vast expanse of the surrounding sea suddenly shattered.

The two Solar Spirit cultivators from the Consortium exchanged a look and shared a wry smile.

"Van wouldn't harm Yu Yuan, would he?"

"Given the current circumstances, it's unlikely he'd make a move. Moreover, he has always admired Yu Yuan. If not, he wouldn't have escorted Yu Yuan to Celestial Isle with his sword light in the past."

"As long as he doesn't act, that's good. If Yu Yuan were to come to harm in the Sundering Isles, we'd be in a dire situation."

"If the information is accurate, Yu Yuan now... even if Van were to challenge him with a sword, he might not be able to defeat him."

"That's a fair point."

With that, the two cultivators were put at ease.

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